Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide-Releasing Contact Lenses on Corneal Wound Healing.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) activates adenosine A2A receptors, subsequently stimulating the release of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor, which promote anti-inflammatory effects, cell proliferation, and tissue regeneration. This study investigated the effects of 0.1% PDRN-releasing contact lenses (PDRN-CL) on corneal wound healing in an animal model. METHODS: After corneal epithelial injury induced by 20% alcohol and a #15 blade in six New Zealand White rabbits, control lenses were worn in one eye and PDRN-releasing lenses (Neovision, Korea) in the other eye were applied daily for 6 hr every day over 4 days. Fluorescein staining was used to assess wound area, expressed as a percentage of the initial defect. On fourth day, corneas were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Ki67, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) staining. Differences in epithelial defect area were analyzed using independent t tests, with P <0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Corneal epithelial defects decreased over time, and from the first day to the morning of the third day, wound healing was significantly accelerated in the PDRN-CL group compared with the control contact lens group ( P <0.05). By the afternoon of the third day, corneal epithelial defects were not observed in either group. Tissue examination showed that the epithelial cell layer was thicker in the PDRN-CL group ( P <0.05), and Ki67 expression was significantly higher in the PDRN-CL group ( P <0.05). The PDRN-CL group exhibits significantly lower MMP-9 levels and MMP-2 expressions ( P =0.023 and P <0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Polydeoxyribonucleotide-CL was effective in promoting corneal wound healing and epithelial cell proliferation and in reducing inflammation. Therefore, it may be useful for treating contact lens complications or corneal injuries.